//

20 Movies You Don’t Want to Miss at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival

20 Films that are a must watch at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.

2024 Sundance Film Festival

The 2024 edition of the Sundance Film Festival is a little over a week away and it’s time for us to talk about movies that will be the talk of Sundance, movies that should not be missed and lastly underrated movies that are a must watch as well. The list below is not comprehensive and the goal is not to rank order any of the movies in this list. From films by critically acclaimed directors like Steven Soderbergh and Richard Linklater to actors like Pedro Pascal, Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg, the list also focuses on independent films by new exciting directors and filmmakers for the future. In no particular order, we are listing 20 feature films that are a must watch if you are planning to check out the festival.

Freaky Tales

Freaky Tales
Pedro Pascal appears in Freaky Tales by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck,an official selection of the Premieres program at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Synopsis: In 1987 Oakland, a mysterious force guides The Town’s underdogs in four interconnected tales: Teen punks defend their turf against Nazi skinheads, a rap duo battles for hip-hop immortality, a weary henchman gets a shot at redemption, and an NBA All-Star settles the score. Basically another day in the Bay.

Directed By: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck

Cast: Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, Jack Champion, Angus Cloud, Keir Gilchrist, Jay Ellis

Love Me

Love Me
Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun appear in Love Me by Sam Zuchero and Andy Zuchero, an official selection of the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute. Photo by Justine Yeung.

Synopsis: A postapocalyptic romance in which a buoy and a satellite meet online and fall in love after the end of human civilization.

Directed By: Sam Zuchero, Andy Zuchero

Cast: Kristen Stewart, Steven Yeun

Little Death

Little Death
David Schwimmer appears in Little Death by Jack Begert, an official selection of the Midnight program at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Synopsis: A middle-aged filmmaker on the verge of a breakthrough. Two kids in search of a lost backpack. A small dog a long way from home.

Directed By: Jack Begert

Cast: David Schwimmer, Gaby Hoffmann, Dominic Fike, Talia Ryder, Jena Malone

Sasquatch Sunset

Sasquatch Sunset
A still from Sasquatch Sunset by Nathan Zellner and David Zellner, an official selection of the Premieres Program at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | Photo Courtesy Square Peg.

Synopsis: A year in the life of a unique family. It captures the daily life of the Sasquatch with a level of detail and rigor that is simply unforgettable.

Directed By: Nathan Zellner, David Zellner

Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Riley Keough, Nathan Zellner, Christophe Zajac-Denek

The Outrun

The Outrun
Saoirse Ronan appears in The Outrun by Nora Finscheidt, an official selection of the Premieres Program at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | Photo by The Outrun Film Ltd – Roy Imer.

Synopsis: Rona, a young woman recently out of rehab for alcoholism, returns home to the Orkney Islands after more than a decade away.

Directed By: Nora Fingscheidt

Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Paapa Essiedu, Stephen Dillane, Saskia Reeves

Hit Man

Hit Man
Adria Arjona and Glen Powell appear in Hit Man by Richard Linklater, an official selection of the Episodic Program at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | Photo courtesy of Netflix.

Synopsis: An undercover Houston police officer poses as a reliable hitman to arrest those trying to hire him until he tries to save a woman in need.

See also  Kristen Stewart in On The Road

Directed By: Richard Linklater

Cast: Glen Powell, Adria Arjona, Austin Amelio, Retta

The American Society of Magical Negroes

The American Society of Magical Negros
Justice Smith and David Alan Grier appear in The American Society of Magical Negros. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Tobin Yelland/Focus Features 2024.

Synopsis: A young man, Aren, is recruited into a secret society of magical Black people who dedicate their lives to a cause of utmost importance: making white people’s lives easier.

Directed By: Kobi Libii

Cast: Justice Smith, David Alan Grier, An-Li Bogan, Drew Tarver, Michaela Watkins, Aisha Hinds, Tim Baltz, Rupert Friend, Nicole Byer

Winner

Winner
Emilia Jones appears in Winner by Susanna Fogel,an official selection of the Premieres program at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Synopsis: Reality Winner is a brilliant young misfit from a Texas border town who finds her morals challenged while serving as an NSA contractor. A sarcastic, gun-lovin, vegan, yogi, and CrossFit fanatic, Reality is an unconventional whistleblower who ends up being prosecuted for exposing Russia’s hacking of the 2016 election.

Directed By: Susanna Fogel

Cast: Emilia Jones, Annelise Pollmann, Kathryn Newton, Averie Peters, Connie Britton, Zach Galifianakis, Danny Ramirez, Shannon Berry

A Real Pain

A Real Pain
Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg appear in A Real Pain by Jesse Eisenberg, an official selection of the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Synopsis: Mismatched cousins David and Benji reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the pair’s old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.

Directed By: Jesse Eisenberg

Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin, Will Sharpe, Jennifer Grey

Presence

Presence
A still from Presence by Steven Soderbergh, an official selection of the Premieres Program at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Synopsis: A family discover they are not alone when they move into a new house.

Directed By: Steven Soderbergh

Cast: Lucy Liu, Julia Fox, Chris Sullivan, Callina Lang, Eddy Maday, West Mulholland

Girls Will Be Girls

Girls Will be Girls
A still from Girls Will Be Girls by Shuchi Talati, an official selection of the World Dramatic Competition at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Synopsis: Follows the journey of 16 year old Mira, who’s sexy, rebellious coming of age is disrupted by her young mother who never got to come of age herself.

Directed By: Shuchi Talati

Cast: Kani Kusruti, Jitin Gulati, Kesav Binoy Kiron, Preeti Panigrahi

Love Lies Bleeding

Love Lies Bleeding
Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian appear in Love Lies Bleeding by Rose Glass, an official selection of the Midnight program at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Synopsis: Reclusive gym manager Lou falls hard for Jackie, an ambitious bodybuilder headed through town to Las Vegas in pursuit of her dream. But their love ignites violence, pulling them deep into the web of Lou’s criminal family.

Directed By: Rose Glass

Cast: Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brian, Ed Harris, Jena Malone, Anna Baryshnikov, Dave Franco

A Different Man

A Different Man
A still from A Different Man by Aaron Schimberg, an official selection of the Premieres program at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Synopsis: After undergoing surgery for a new start in life, Edward becomes fixated on another man playing him in a stage production based on Edward’s former life.

Directed By: Aaron Schimberg

Cast: Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, Adam Pearson

See also  Martin Scorcese produces Boardwalk Empire

Will & Harper

Will & Harper
Will Ferrell and Harper Steele appear in Will & Harper by Josh Greenbaum, an official selection of the Premieres Program at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Synopsis: When Will Ferrell finds out his close friend of 30 years is coming out as a trans woman, the two decide to embark on a cross-country road trip to process this new stage of their relationship in an intimate portrait of friendship, transition, and America.

Directed By: Josh Greenbaum

Cast: Will Ferrell, Harper Steele

Desire Lines

Desire Lines
Aden Hakimi and Theo Germaine appear in Desire Lines by Jules Rosskam, an official selection of the Midnight program at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute. Photo by Marie Hinson.

Synopsis: Past and present collide when an Iranian American trans man time-travels through an LGBTQ+ archive on a dizzying and erotic quest to unravel his own sexual desires.

Directed By: Jules Rosskam

Cast: Theo Germaine, Aden Hakimi

Exhibiting Forgiveness

Exhibiting Forgiveness
André Holland and Andra Day appear in Exhibiting Forgiveness by Titus Kaphar, an official selection of the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Synopsis: Utilizing his paintings to find freedom from his past, a Black artist on the path to success is derailed by an unexpected visit from his estranged father, a recovering addict desperate to reconcile. Together, they learn that forgetting might be a greater challenge than forgiving.

Directed By: Titus Kaphar

Cast: André Holland, Andra Day

I Saw the TV Glow

I Saw the TV Glow
Justice Smith and Brigette Lundy-Paine appear in I Saw the TV Glow by Jane Schoenbrun, an official selection of the World Dramatic Competition at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Synopsis: Teenager Owen is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when his classmate introduces him to a mysterious late-night TV show — a vision of a supernatural world beneath their own. In the pale glow of the television, Owen’s view of reality begins to crack.

Directed By: Jane Schoenbrun

Cast: Justice Smith, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Helena Howard, Danielle Deadwyler, Amber Benson

Look Into My Eyes

Look Into My Eyes
A still from Look Into My Eyes by Lana Wilson an official selection of the Premieres Program at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Synopsis: A group of New York City psychics conduct deeply intimate readings for their clients, revealing a kaleidoscope of loneliness, connection, and healing.

Directed By: Lana Wilson

Sujo

Sujo
Courtesy of Sundance Institute. Photo by Ximena Amann.

Synopsis: When a cartel gunman is killed, he leaves behind Sujo, his beloved 4-year-old son. The shadow of violence surrounds Sujo during each stage of his life in the isolated Mexican countryside. As he grows into a man, Sujo finds that fulfilling his father’s destiny may be inescapable.

Directed By: Astrid Rondero, Fernanda Valadez

Cast: Karla Garrido, Juan Jesús Varela, Jairo Hernandez, Kevin Aguilar,

Thelma

Thelma
Richard Roundtree and June Squibb appear in Thelma by Josh Margolin, an official selection of the Premieres program at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by David Bolen.

Synopsis: When 93-year-old Thelma Post gets duped by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson, she sets out on a treacherous quest across the city to reclaim what was taken from her.

Directed By: Josh Margolin

Cast: June Squibb, Fred Hechinger, Richard Roundtree, Parker Posey, Clark Gregg, Malcolm McDowell, Coral Peña, Nicole Byer

For Screening Dates and Times, visit https://festival.sundance.org/program/films/

Prem

Founder/Creator of Talking Films. Created Talking films back in 2009 and has been an ardent cinema lover for the past 2 decades.

LEAVE A REPLY

Your email address will not be published.

Previous Story

81st Golden Globe Awards: Winners List, Oppenheimer, The Bear, Succession and Beef Among The Winners

Next Story

Oscars 2024: Full List of Nominees Announced